NASA sets up special webpage to debunk end of world theories

Talk to some people and they'll tell you the end of days is quickly approaching. It’s all based on the Mayan calendar, and believers say the end happens on December 21st. NASA is so concerned about impressionable children and adults, its set up a special web page.

According to Mayan scholars there's nothing special about the Mayan calendar. It's like any other calendar....just like this one here. So that's why NASA created a website to disprove this crazy theory and many others just like it.

"The history of the human race is full of these doomsday fears and they've existed for a long time. You go back to 1910 when Haley’s comet was really bright in the sky. There was mass panic."

People thought the comet would hit earth or gases from the tail would poison every living thing on earth. The world didn't end then and Paul Thomas, a physics and astronomy professor at UW- Eau Claire says it's not about to end on December 21st.

"There's no reason at all. There's no scientific reason to believe that the world will come to an end in December 2012."

Much like when a year ends and a new one begins, the Mayan calendar is cyclical. Mayan scholars say there's nothing special about December 21st except the ending of one cycle and a beginning of another. Unfortunately...this isn't the only other end of the world theory floating around for kids to see.

Drew Brandenburg is a counselor at Putnam Heights Elementary and says to monitor what kids are seeing on TV or the web along with paying attention to questions they may ask.

"Maybe there is something deeper there, especially, if they keep coming up. If it's a one-time deal then it will probably go away, but if it keeps reoccurring you might want to pay attention to that," says Brandenburg.

That's why NASA created the website to spread common sense...not panic.

"The thing to say to kids is there's absolutely nothing to worry about at all and yet the universe is incredibly wonderful so keep looking at the sky keep learning about science," says Thomas.

Brandenburg says if your child becomes concerned just hear them out and let them know they are safe. You can also show them the NASA website debunking all those end of the world rumors.

The comment sections of our web set are designed for thoughtful, intelligent conversation and debate. We want to hear from the viewers but we are not obligated to post comments we feel inappropriate or violate our guidelines. Here are some of the criteria you should follow when posting comments:

Comments cannot be profane or vulgar. Children and families visit this site. We will delete comments that use profanity or cross the lines of good taste.

We will delete all comments using hate speech. Slurs, stereotypes and violent talk aren’t welcome on our web site.

Comments should not attack other readers personally.

We will delete comments we deem offensive, in bad taste, or out of bounds. We are not obligated to post comments that are rude or insensitive.

We do not edit user-submitted comments.

As a host WEAU 13 News welcomes a wide spectrum of opinions. However, we have a responsibility to all our readers to try to keep our comment section fair and decent. For that reason WEAU 13 News reserves the right to not post or to remove any comment.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.